Old Chicago Embraces New Crafts

Brewbound.com Staff

Jan. 19, 2011 at 3:58 PM

Longmont, CO – Even with 110 beers on tap, Old Chicago’s newest addition is predicted to sell-through in less than three weeks.

Starting on January 26th, drinkers at 27 Old Chicago locations scattered across Colorado will, for a limited time only, be able to get their hands on a special brew from the Longmont brewery Oskar Blues: Deviant Dale’s IPA, a play on the award-winning Dale’s Pale Ale.

Only 50 barrels are being made of Deviant Dale’s IPA, which should yield approximately 85 kegs to be dispersed across the 27 locations.

“We have the ability to help people discover these craft beers,” said Mark Newman, the Director of Food and Beverage with CraftWorks, the company that owns and operates the Old Chicago restaurant and bar chain.

It’s an important step intended to help revitalize Old Chicago’s image as a destination for craft beer enthusiasts. While the restaurant chain was founded in 1976 with the concept of offering a ‘World Beer Tour,’ Newman admits that it’s beer selection hasn’t always kept up with current trends in the growing craft beer industry.

“I feel like we got a little behind in our program,” he said. “The craft beer industry was moving so quickly, and we weren’t keeping up with current trends.”

Newman has begun branching out from CraftWorks’ traditional beer buying practices and took a closer look at the craft beer industry.

“We wanted to collaborate more with the breweries, and have started with the local Denver market,” Newman said.

The program, which is focused on featuring more craft beer selections, began at the end of last year when Old Chicago featured Buddah’s Hand from Breckenridge and an IPA from Tommyknocker, both local craft breweries.

Next in line after Oskar Blues, will be the O’Dell brewing Company.

“We will have a double IPA from O’Dell’s in March entitled Myrcenary,” he said.

Myrcenary, which is named for the organic compound myrcene that naturally occurs in hops, will check in at 9.3% ABV and is a brand new brew for O’Dell’s. This beer will also be launched in 5 states, according to Newman.

Old Chicago has also been in talks with Stone Brewing in San Diego and is looking to collaborate with more breweries outside of Colorado.

For more information, contact any of the 27 Colorado Old Chicago locations.